
Loy Krathong Festival- Thailand
There are many reasons to travel to Thailand, and if you’ve already been there on your way through to Australia you’ll no doubt have had a good time. However don’t forget that whilst you’re over this side of the globe, Thailand is also a great place to take a short break for a relaxing getaway.
If you’re planning a little break away, then the end of November is a very special time of year to venture to Thailand. On 28th November the Loy Krathong Festival takes place bringing all the local Thai people together to pay respect to the Goddess of waters by floating candlelit offerings on nearly every expanse of water in Thailand, which shimmer with the glow of a thousand lights flickering and dancing in the breeze, creating the most enchanting romantic setting for couples, or just about one of the most visual splendours you will ever take in, in your lifetime.
The Loy Krathong Festival, also known as the ‘Festival of Light’, is celebrated on the 12th lunar month when the moon is at its brightest and the tide in the rivers at its highest. It is widely considered one of the most traditional and picturesque events in all of Thailand, bringing the community together as they release floating rafts (loy krathongs) to carry their gifts and wishes to the Goddess of water in the hope of promising better luck for the future. As legend has it, if the krathong floats away then the coming year will bring good fortune, but if it returns towards the shore then the year may not blessed with good luck.
The Loy Krathong Festival is an especially romantic night for lovers, not just to witness the magical atmosphere at this time, but to make wishes of their own. It is believed that couples that make a wish together during Loy Krathong will stay together in the future. If you are a solo traveller, wanting to experience this beautiful festival for yourself-do not despair, the festival brings good luck to the individual also. If you feel that you have done a few naughties in the past year, as you set your wish to the water, ask for forgiveness as it washes away your sins. Even if you are your hotel, people set their wishes to float along the resort swimming pool!
The Loy Krathong Festival also coincides with the Lanna Festival known as Yi Peng, which involves the launching of thousands of paper lanterns into the air in the hope of welcoming good luck. These festivals take place throughout Thailand however particularly renowned locations for the most spectacular places to see the festivals include; Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya and Sukhothai, where the celebrations take place over several days. But don’t fret if you are elsewhere as celebrations are also held in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. During this special time of year it may appear that both the sky and the water are on fire in this beautiful celebration of light.
History of Loy Krathong Festival
The Loy Krathong Festival hails back to an ancient Brahmanic or Indic festival. Originally the Loy Krathong Festival was a ceremony where people paid their respects to three different gods known as Phra I-Suan (Shiva), Phra Narai (Vishnu) and Phra Phrom (Brahma).
People would make lanterns using candles and paper, which would then be displayed in the homes of royalty, rich people or high-ranking officials. 150 years ago, King Mongkut (Rama IV) declared that it should be adopted by Buddhists as a ceremony to honor the Buddha. People then made the various kinds of lanterns, which were then donated to the temples, and then they would pray that their hopes and wishes for the future would be fulfilled, which is something that has carried on to the present day.
Useful Information
Naturally as this is a main event in Thailand, there are bound to be crowds, so if you’re in Bangkok you may well want to avoid Saphan Taksin. Footpaths to the river stretching all the way from the BTS station inch along slower than the M25 in rush hour, and quite frankly as culturally indulgent as it is to get involved in the festivities, you may end up loosing your evening to the queues. Another place to avoid is Santichaiprakarn Park, on Pra Arthit Road as hundreds of travellers, less in the know than all you BBM readers flock to the area attracting a bad mix of scam artists, and pick pockets looking for confused tourists.
Sunday is the official Loy Krathong day, however celebrations begin on the Friday, including Bangkok’s grand opening ceremony. Parades of boats lit up with decorations cruise along the Chao Praya River so if you can, try and find a restaurant between the Krungthep and Krungthon Bridges on the Chao Phraya river to witness the splendid spectical.
On Sunday evening, Wat Rakang Kositaram on the Thonburi bank of the river and Wat Arun are among the popular temples to really immerse yourself in the Loy Krathong experience. Both locations can be reached from the Bangkok side of the river by catching a boat at the Tha Tien Pier.
If you really want to avoid the crowds then seek out the large ponds in Bangkok’s parks. Some top locations are Chatuchak Park on Paholyothin Road, Benjakitti Park on Ratchadapisek Road by the Queen Sirikit Convention Centre, Lumpini Park and Benjasiri Park.
If you’re heading out of town then Chiang Mai does offer the most spectacular celebrations for Loy Krathong. However if you’re really feeling very adventurous then the ancient city of Tak, near the Myanmar border about half-way between Chiang Mai and Bangkok is also an excellent location to take in all the festivities.
Wherever you end up experiencing the Loy Krathong Festival trust us that it is absolutely stunning, and what other time of year do you get to send all of your troubles floating away on a little raft up the river?
Check out our other Festivals on offer this Summer on our Festivals page.